Developmental aspects of alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors.

Clearly a number of hormonal, pathologic, and maturation factors alter alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors during development. Ontogenic changes in these receptors appear to be organ- and species-specific, occurring at distinct times during organ maturation. Developmental changes in adrenergic receptors are probably the result of a number of homologous and heterologous regulatory mechanisms. These are likely to include the effects of differentiation and aging themselves, and in fact some of the most dramatic changes in adrenergic receptor number and function occur during development. These changes are likely important to the adaptation of the developing infant and knowledge of their appearance, regulation, and function will be useful in predicting therapeutic or toxic effects of these treatments on the developing fetus and infant when exposed to adrenergic agonists or antagonists.